May to Corbyn: Ruling out no-deal Brexit is ‘impossible condition’

Ruling out a no-deal Brexit is an "impossible" precondition for participation in cross-party talks to resolve the political deadlock, Theresa May told opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn in a letter published today.

After the prime minister survived a no confidence motion on Wednesday night Corbyn told MPs he would not enter into talks with her unless she ruled out a no-deal Brexit.

In her letter to the opposition leader, she said this was "an impossible condition because it is not within the Government's power to rule out no deal."

The prime minister argued there were "two ways to avoid a no deal" which were either "to vote for a deal, in particular a Withdrawal Agreement, that has been agreed with the EU or to revoke article 50 and overturn the referendum." The latter option she said was "wrong."

She added that the EU would not agree to extend Article 50 in order to give the UK more time to debate Brexit.

May said she would "sincerely urge" Corbyn to accept her offer for talks, stressing her "doors would remain open."

In a speech in Hastings this morning, Corbyn called May's talks with opposition leaders a "stunt."

"With no deal on the table the prime minister will enter into phoney talks just to run down the clock," he said.